CRIES: a new neonatal postoperative pain measurement score. Initial testing of validity and reliability

Summary We have developed a neonatal pain assessment tool CRIES. The tool is a ten point scale similar to the APGAR score (Apgar 1953). It is an acronym of five physiological and behavioural variables previously shown to be associated with neonatal pain. C—Crying; R—Requires increased oxygen administration; I—Increased vital signs; E—Expression; S—Sleeplessness. We have tested CRIES for validity and reliability. This report is the result of that testing. We have found CRIES to be valid, reliable and well accepted by neonatal nurses.